EVENTS at HOUSMANS
We regularly have a variety of events in the shop, and are always welcome for suggestions from authors, artists and campaigners who want to use the shop for evening events. Past events include talks, book signings, film screenings, art exhibitions and musical performances.
Click here for an archive; which includes a number of selected filmed highlights, of our previous events. Also, you can view video from some special events here.
FEBRUARY
Zed Books present:
‘Possibilities for the Post-Capitalist Era’
with Harry Shutt
Saturday 13th February - 5pm to 6.30pm
“Dissident economist” Harry Shutt predicted the recent economic collapse as early as 1998 with his book ‘The Trouble With Capitalism’. In the second edition of this remarkably prescient publication, he argues that the on-going crisis has arisen as a result of fundamental economic problems, stemming from the growing redundancy of both labour and capital since the 1970s. In doing so, he exposes the sham of laissez-faire economics, showing that state power and capital are increasingly being used to prop up capital while pretending that the aim is to roll back the frontiers of the state.
His forthcoming book, ‘Beyond the Profits System: Possibilities for the Post-Capitalist Era’, moves beyond the predictions explored in ‘The Trouble With Capitalism’ to offer a radical yet realistic way forward in light of the catastrophe.
The author will be discussing his theories and publications, answering questions and signing books. Do join us at Housmans for what promises to be an extremely interesting event.
David Paul Press present:
‘This Room in the Sunlight’
with Bernard Kops
Wednesday 17th February - 7pm to 8.30pm
Bernard Kops, one of Britain’s most celebrated and prolific authors, has written more than forty plays for stage and radio, nine novels and two autobiographies, as well as seven volumes of poetry. ‘This Room in the Sunlight’ is his eighth - and latest - collection of poems, covering his preoccupations with love and death, reflecting his early breakdown and drug addiction, family life, growing up in London's East End, growing old and his Jewish identity.
He has included well-known poems such as ‘Shalom Bomb’, an unofficial anthem for the CND movement in the 1960’s, and the more recent ‘Whitechapel Library, Aldgate East’, in which he mourns the passing of the old library in London’s East End, a gathering place for writers and radicals of the area. Other poems tell of his feelings about encounters with people, ordinary and famous. There are glimpses of WH Auden, Allen Ginsberg and Henry Williamson, alongside those of his friends, neighbours and loved ones.
Join us at Housmans to hear Kops reading and discussing his poetry. There will also be an opportunity to have books signed.
This Room in the SunlightBernard Kops (David Paul, 2007)
Last Hours Collective present:
‘Excessive Force – policing in Britain’
Wednesday 24th February - 7pm to 8.30pm
The Last Hours publishing and politics collective present their latest offering, ‘Excessive Force’, a ‘comix’ anthology by eighteen different artists, - as well as articles by three authors - dealing with the issue of police brutality. Some of the short strips are drawn from imagined events, whilst others are based on real-life experience, including Edd Baldry’s account of the 2009 G20 protests, and the subsequent death of Ian Tomlinson.
The event will feature an extended discussion by members of Last Hours, FITWatch, and the LDMG (Legal Defence and Monitoring Group) on the current policing situation in the UK, how it has changed over the years, and how to best to respond to it. There will also be an opportunity to have books signed by contributing artists.
No Sweat Forum - Haiti Earthquake
Thursday 25th February 7pm to 8.30pm
No Sweat are holding a public meeting about the earthquake in Haiti and its impact on the labour movement there. Speaking at the meeting will be Charles Arthur from the Haiti Support Group and No Sweat activists.
‘Inside Quatro: Uncovering the Exile History of the ANC and SWAPO’
with Paul Trewhela
Saturday 27th February - 5pm to 6.30pm
During its period of outlaw and exile under South Africa’s apartheid regime, the African National Congress operated from Angola and Tanzania. Located north of Luanda in Angola, Quatro was one of the most feared of the secret camps of the ANC, and only a selected few in the ANC leadership seem to have had access.
Established in 1979, Quatro (officially known as Camp 32) was supposed to be the rehabilitation centre of the ANC, where enemy agents who had infiltrated the ANC would be "re-educated" and would be made to love the ANC through the opportunity to experience the humane character of its ideals.
Through a process that still demands explanation, however, Quatro became as horrific as any prison that the apartheid regime - itself a crime against humanity - had ever had. Inmates were brutally assaulted, starved, given humiliating nicknames, denied medical treatment and subjected to forced labour. Camp staff were often young, impressionable, and sworn to secrecy. Were ANC leaders aware of what was happening in their name?
Born in Johannesburg in 1941, Paul Trewhela worked in underground journalism with Ruth First and edited the underground journal of ‘MK, Freedom Fighter’ during the Rivonia Trial, in which ten ANC leaders were prosecuted by the apartheid regime for sedition. He was a political prisoner in Pretoria and the Johannesburg Fort as a member of the Communist Party in 1964–7, separating from the SACP while in prison. In exile in Britain he was co-editor with the late Baruch Hirson of Searchlight South Africa, banned in South Africa. Since 2006 he has published numerous articles on South African political subjects on the websites. Join him at Housmans for a discussion of this publication, with an opportunity for questions and answers.
All events are susceptible to last minute changes, so please keep checking the website or contact the shop for confirmation and more info.